More than £90million for Northumberland’s roads

Filling in potholes in Northumberland.

Published:16:42Monday 22 December 2014

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A record £268million will be spent on improving local roads between 2015 and 2021 in the North East, Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin announced today – with £91million allocated to Northumberland.

The investment amounts to £45million a year in the region, enough to fix around 800,000 potholes across the region. It is the first time local authorities have been given locked-in funding over this length of time, which will help them plan ahead and save money for the taxpayer.

Mr McLoughlin said: “Roads play a significant part in everyday life. Poorly-maintained local roads, blighted by potholes, are a menace to all road users, particularly during the festive period as people travel to see family and friends.

“It is vital we have good quality roads. This government has already taken strong action by spending £1billion more on local roads maintenance than was spent in the previous parliament.

“The £268million funding I am announcing today for the North East will put an end to short term fixes and will mean we have committed £10billion between 2010 and 2021. This huge investment is part of our long-term economic plan to ensure we have a transport network fit for the 21st century.”

The Department for Transport allocates funding to local authorities based on local need, so councils with larger highway networks receive more of the funding.

Northumberland’s £91million is more than any other council in the North East and amounts to more than £17million in 2015-16, more than £15million per year between 2016 and 2018 and more than £14million from 2018 to 2021.